Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Israel Wins Five Medals, Including Gold and Silver, During First Appearance in Invictus Games
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Athletes from Israel at the opening of the 2023 Invictus Games in the Merkur Spiel Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: IMAGO/Future Image via Reuters Connect
Israel walked away with five medals after its first time competing in the Invictus Games, an international multi-sport competition for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women — both veterans and those currently serving.
Two Israeli teams went head-to-head in the mixed doubles table tennis tournament on Wednesday as part of the Invictus Games, which was founded in 2014 by Prince Harry. The final score was 2-0, with Menashe Zorik and Yagur Caesari winning the gold over Yigal Lagziel and Boaz Arad, who took home the silver. Zorik and Caesari defeated competitors from Denmark, Australia, Colombia, Romania, France, and Germany before making it to the finals and taking home a gold medal.
“Seeing the Israeli flags flying proudly on German soil made me emotional,” Zorik said after the award ceremony, according to Israeli media. “We were mentally strong today. This honor goes to Israel.”
Caesari added: “To win both the gold and silver medals in the first time an Israeli delegation has participated in the games is a very impressive achievement. Israel is now considered a powerhouse in table tennis. During the games, we saw our families crying from joy on the screens, and we were very moved.”
Israel also gave medal-winning performances in the swimming category of the Invictus Games. Amitai Arnon won bronze in the men’s 50-meter backstroke finals on Wednesday. That same day, Shalom Zanzuri and Jacob Gershoni each won a bronze in the men’s 100-meter freestyle finals, in different classifications.
Israel joined the Invictus Games Foundation’s “Community of Nations” in 2022 and, alongside Columbia, became the newest countries to participate in the competition, which took place this year in Düsseldorf, Germany. The delegation of injured Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers that competed this year was led by the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department and the IDF Disabled Veterans Fund, Ynet reported.
Current participants in the Invictus Games include other Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and Jordan, as well as a host of other nations including Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The 2023 Invictus Games run from Sept. 9-16.
